Organ-coupler.



W. E. HASKELL.

ORGAN COUPLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 191

1,078,851, Patented N0v.18,1913.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 1.

I L' i.

, mg ad/M W. E. HASKELL.

ORGAN COUPLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1911.

1,078,851 Patented N0v.18,1913.

E i 3' 1&iHEETS-SHEET2 Z/ X Y E' 'IIVII g 7g E -1 I i 5] 7 I Inventor.WiZZL'amE.Hcw-7ceZZ/.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM .E. HASKELL, OF BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TO ESTEY ORGANCOMPANY, OF BRATTLEBORO, "VERMONT, A CORPORATION OF VERMONT.

ORGAN-COUPLER.

T 0 all whom-it may concern.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. HAsKnLL, of Brattleboro, in the county ofWindham and State of Vermont, have invented a new and ImprovedOrgan-Coupler, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic couplers for pipe or reed organs,and has for its object the provision of a coupler of thls character ofsimple and economical construction. In achieving this object, thepresent invention reduces the number 01: parts hitherto necessary inpneumatic couplers, particularly in the valve elements oi the couplers,and also introduces an 1mproved character of controlling valve which iscertain in action and upon which there is practically no wear. Theorgani zation is such that not only is the construction of the couplergreatly simplified but, if anything occurs to interfere with properaction, it is rendered inoperative instead of causing a continuous noteto sound.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure 1, is a sectional view, partly diagrammatic,illustrating the coupler associated with corresponding keys of thegreat, swell and pedal departments of the organ, and the connectionsbetween the couplers, the controlling valves, and the channels leadingto the sounding devices of the several departments of the organ, theparts being shown in their positions of rest. Fig. 2, is a cross-sectionof one of the coupling bars in the plane indicated by the line 2-2 inFig. 4. Fig. 3, is a detail section of a portion of the coupling action.Fig. 4, 1S a longitudinal section of portions of two of the couplingbars. Fig. 5, is a detail section similar to Fig. 3, except being takenat a different plane and illustrating the means employed for securing anair-tight connection between the coupling bars and the tube and mixerbars. Figs. 6, and 7, are views of opposite sides of one end of one ofthe coupling bars. Fig. 8, is a detail sec- .tion illustrating how oneof the coupling bars is supported.

Fig. 1, shows keys A, B, and C, belonging respectivelyto the swell, thegreat and the pedal departments of the organ, and variablepressurechannels 1, 2, and 3, governed Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September9, 1911.

Serial No. 648,555.

respectively by said keys A, B, and C, each of these variablepressurechannels leading to the sounding devices governed thereby eitherdirectly or indirectly in any wellknown manner. In pneumatic actions fororgans the speaking of the controlled sounding devices may be effectedeither by maintaining normal wind pressure within such variable-pressurechannels and venting one of the channels when a corresponding key isstruck; or, by having normal atmospheric pressure within such channelsand introducing air under pressure when an appropriate key is struck forsounding the appropriate note or notes. Both plans are well known. Inthe preferred embodiment of the present invention the pneumatic actionis of the latter type, that is to say, the channels 1, 2, and 3,normally contain air at atmospheric pressure and when the correspondingkeys are struck air under pressure is admitted to the channels and asthe result the corre sponding sounding devices speak. Many of thefeatures of the present invention are applicable to both of thesesystems of air control, but the indicated system is preferred becausewith the coupler construction employed, should anything occur whichmight effect the operativeness of the couplers, no sounding devices willspeak, as will hereinafter become evident. ,Accordingly, there isemployed with each of the departments of the organ, a pressure chamberD, supplied with air under pressure. Each key A, of the swell organ isconnected with a pallet a, within the corresponding pressure chamber D,and when the key is played the pallet is opened and air under pressureenters a seriesof pneumatic tubes controlled thereby, the number ofwhich will depend upon the number of couplers employed, three tubes, 4,5, and 6, being illustrated. Likewise, each key B, of the great organ isconnected with a pallet 6, within the corresponding pressure chamber D,and when the key is played air under pressure is admitted into the pipes7 and 8. Again, when a key C, of the pedal organ is played, a pallet 0,is opened and air under pressure is admitted into the tubes 9, and 10,and also, as illustrated, directly into the variable-pressure channel 3,which leads to the pedal department of the organ. All of the pneumatictubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10,

Patented Nov. 18, 1913. l

nels (Z, and e, have ports f, extending through the inner faces of themixer bar F, and there is one of these ports f, directly opposite one ofthe tubes 4;, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The tube bar E, and the mixer bar F, are parallel with each other andconveniently extend vertically, as shown in Fig. 1, of the drawings, andbetween them are located the direct duct bars G, and H, and the couplingbars, of which five are shown in Fig. 1, and designated as I, J, K, L,and M.

The upper direct duct bar G has through ducts g, one for each key 01":the swell organ, and each duct g, is in connection with one o1 the tubes1, and with one of the mixing channels (Z. Accordingly, when thecorrespondin swell key A, is played and its pallet a, is lifted, airunder pressure from the pressure chamber D, flows through tube 41-, duct9, mixing channel (Z, and variablepressure channel 1, with the resultthat the corresponding sounding device (or devices) of the swell organspeaks. Likewise, the lower direct duct bar H, has through ducts 17L,one for each key B, of the great organ, there being one of the directducts h, in con munication with each tube 8. Each direct duct 72, alsocommunicates with one of the mixing channels 0. Consequently, when thecorresponding key B, of the great organ is played, its pallet b, israised and air under pressure flows through tube 8, duct 7t, mix ingchannel 6, and variable-pressure channel 2, and the corresponding note(or notes) of the great organ is sounded.

The present invention permits of the con-- venient employment of as manycouplers as may be desired. For purposes of illustration, five couplersare illustrated in Fig. 1, and there are five coupling bars I, J, K, L,and M, shown. These coupling bars are all alike, with the singleexception that the upper coupling bar I, need not have one of thecharacteristics of the other coupling bars (namely, the diaphragm) andit is shown without it. Accordingly, it will sufiice to describe indetail one of the coupling bars; and the lowermost bar M, is selected"for this purpose in the accompanying drawings.

he coupling bar M, is a single unitary structure capable of beinghandled and as sembled as a complete structural unit. It isappropriately channeled to form valve chambers to receive valves X, andto permit the flow of air when the valves are opened, the opening of thevalves being determined by the manipulation of the coupling stop.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, the coupling bar M, is composedof wood having valve chambers i, which are formed by boring through theupper side of the bar. Below each valve chamber is a communieating airpassage j, of less diameter than the valve chamber, thus furnishing aseatfor the valve X. Below each passage j, is a hole is, extendingthrough the bottom of the coupling bar. Through this hole 70, extendsloosely a plunger 0, by means of which the corresponding valve X, may belitted 'roln its seat. The hole 7;, is materially larger in diameterthan the plunger 0, so as to constitute a vent when the correspondingvalve is on its seat.

There is a transverse duct Z, extending from each air passage 7', to theface of the coupling bar which is adjacent the tube bar E; and there isa transverse duct m, extending from each valve chamber 6, to the otherface of the coupling bar adjacent. the mixer bar F. Both of the ducts Z,and m, have lengthened mouths u, as shown in Figs. 6. and 7, tofacilitate registration with the appropriate ports in the tube bar andthe or bar. Accordingly, in the case of the coupling bar M, each of itsducts Z, is in constant communication with one of the tubes 10, and eachof its ducts m, is in communication with one of the mixing channels e,and hence with the valiable-pressure channel 2. It will accordingly beevident that it one of the valves X, is lifted from its seat the tube10, will be in pneumatic connection with the variable pressure channel 2and, consequently, should the corresponding pedal key C, be then playedand its pallet 0, be opened, air under pressure from the correspondingpressure chamber D, will not only flow directly throughvariable-pressure channel 3, thereby sounding a note of the pedal organ,but air will also flow through the tube 10, thence through ducts Z, andm, and through the variablepressure channel 2, of the swell organ, thussounding a note in the swell organ simultaneously with note in the pedalorgan.

The opening and closing of the valves X, oi each coupling bar iscontrolled by a corresponding coupler stop and, in the present instance,a pneumatic control is provided.

The coupling bar M, has a longitudinal couplingchannel Y, extendinglengthwise above all of the valve chambers Any air connection betweenthis coupling channel and the valve chambers is prevented by means of acover for the valve chambers. This cover P, is a single strip of stoutcloth, rendered impervious by the incorporation of rubber therewith, andwhich is glued one side face of the bar.

along the bottom of the coupling channelcoupling channel is closed by aplug 0, '(Figs. 4 and 8) which is glued in place.

The entire top of the coupling bar M, in-

cluding the coupling channel Y, is covered by a diaphragm Q, of anydurable flexible material, thin sheepskin being appropriate. Thisdiaphragm is glued in place. Near one end, the coupling bar M, has atransverse stop passage 0, shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 7, whichcommunicates with one end of the coupling channel Y, and which extendsto This passage is in communication with any appropriate pneumatic stopaction, so that when the corresponding stop is drawn, air underpressure-is admitted tothe coupling channel Y, whereupon its diaphragmis dilated as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. The coupling channel Y, haslengthwise extending grooves 9, below the level of the cover P, so thatthe immediate entrance of the air beneath the entire diaphragm isinsured. The dilation of the diaphragm Q, of one of the coupling barsopens the valves X, of the coupling bar located immediately above. Forexample, as shown in Fig. 3, when the diaphragm Q, of coupling bar M, isdilated all of the valves X, of the coupling bar L, are opened, sincethe plungers O, therefor rest on the diaphragm Q, of the coupling bar M.Accordingly, when the diaphragm of any lower coupling bar is dilated,all of the valves of the coupling bar above are opened and each pair ofducts thereof then form a continuous sounding channel in connection withthe corresponding tube leading to the corresponding key-controlledpallet and with the mixing channel and the variable sounding channelleading to the sounding devices. Owing to this arrangement, whereby thediaphragm of one coupling bar governs the valves of the coupling barabove, a special construction is involved for the bottom duct bar H, inorder that the valves of the lowermost coupling bar M, may bestop-controlled. To this end, the lower duct bar H, is provided with astop passage, a coupling channel, and a diaphragm just like any one ofthe coupling bars proper.

Attention has already been directed to the circumstance that theuppermost coupling bar I, may have one difference, as compared with thecoupling bars beneath. It is obvious that it is not necessary that theuppermost coupling bar I, should be provided with any stop passage,coupling channel or diaphragm, since there are no valves above it to becontrolled. For the purpose of indicating this difference in function nodiaphragm Q, is shown for the coupling bar.

I. As a matter of practical commercial construction, however, it isdesirable to bore and channel all of the coupling bars just alike topermit of their indiscriminate use and, therefore, the upper couplingbar I, is shown in Fig. 1, as channeled similarly to the coupling barsbeneath.

WVhen the valves of any one of the coupling bars are lifted, it isimportant that air-tight sounding channels should there upon exist andto this end the plungers O, are constructed as valves so as to close thevents is, when the plungers are lifted and the valves are opened. Eachplunger is a round brass pin with an integral round head 1", above whichis a round leather washer s, and above that is a round felt pad i. Asshown in Fig. 3, when the diaphragm Q, of coupling bar M, is distended,the felt pad t, seats on the under face of the coupling bar L, above,thereby closing the vent 7c, and consequently rendering the ducts Z, andm, of said coupling bar L, air-tight when the valve X, is oil? from itsseat. When the diaphragm is deflated to put the corresponding couplerout of action, the plungers and valves drop by gravity so that each ductm, is then closed by the corresponding valve, while each duct Z, isvented to the atmosphere through the vent 70. There is ample spacebetween the bars G, I, J, K, L, M, and H, for the escape of air throughthe vents 7c, and each of these spaces is open to the external air atthe ends of said bars, as indicated at u, in Fig. l.

In the coupling arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the tube 10, from the pedalchamber D, communicates with the great channel 2, when the correspondingvalve of the coupling bar M, is lifted, thus coupling great to pedalunison. Tube 9 is in communication with the swell channel 1, when thecorresponding valve of the coupling bar L, is opened, thus couplingswell to pedal unison. Tube 7, from the great chamber D, is incommunication with the swell channel 1, when the corresponding valve ofthe coupling bar K, is opened, thus coupling swell to great unison. Theother two coupling bars I, and J, are octave couplers, as conventionallyindicated by the breaks in the tubes 5 and 6. One is a sub-octzwe andthe other a superoctave coupler and both belong tothe swell departmentof the organ. IV hen the valves of the coupling bar J, are opened a notein the swell an octave above the direct note will be concurrentlysounded; and when the valves of the coupling bar I, are opened a note inthe swell an octave below the direct note will be sounded when a swellkey is played.

Obviously, the same principles of construction can be extended toinclude any ad ditional couplers which may be desired.

Each of the bars G, H, I, J, K, L, and M,

is held in place between the tube bar E, and the mixer bar 1*, in thesame way, and as illustrated in connection with the coupling bar M, in Fig. 8. As there shown, dowel pins R, are employed. There are four ofthese dowel pins for each coupling bar, one on each side at each end, asshown at Figs. 6, and 7, for one end of the bar. Packing strips 11, offelt or leather are interposed between the bars G, to M, and the bars Fand F, to render the same air-tight at their communicating passages. Tomaintain this airtight connection, the bars E, and F, are connectedtogether by the instrumentalities shown in Fig. 5, at as many places asmay be necessary. As there shown the bar E, is equipped with an insetinteriorly screwthreaded headed brass socket or nut S, into which screwsa bolt T, extending through the bar F. interposed between the head ofthe bolt T, and a metal washer U, seating on the bar F, is a spring V,which compensates for the expansion and so 'inkage of the several bars,while insuring a constant airtight connection.

The connecting wires between the several keys and the several palletsextend through celluloid washers w, as shown in Fig. 1, therebypreventing air leakage from the pressure chambers D.

An important advantage of this coupler is its extreme simplicity andease of manu facture. Each check valve Y is a steel ball, one fourth ofan inch. in diameter, which rests on the margin of a holethree-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The valve chamber in which theball is located is five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, so that whenthe ball is pushed off from its seat by the rising of the plunger 0,below, it remains in such position that on the dropping of the plungerit will fall without fail into the hole below it, thus shutting offcommunication between the ducts Z and m. The ball closes perfectly andmakes an air-tight joint without any other precaution being taken thanto bore a clean round hole. The halls in their seats are fully concealedand wholly protected, so that they maintain their proper conditionsindefinitely.

The weight of the steel balls is such that there is no possibility ofone of them being lifted from its seat except when air is admittedbeneath its liftingdiaphragm through the manipulation of the properstop. F or example, assuming the ball valves to be all closed, as shownin Fig. l, the lifting of the pallet 0:, would admit air under pressurethrough the pipes 5 and 6, beneath he ball valves X, of the two uppercoupler units; but said valves would not be lifted both because of theirweight and because the duct beneath each valve is then vented, asclearly shown, for example, in Fig. 4-, and at the lower part of Fig. 3.

The mechanism is durable since there is almost nothing to wear. The longnarrow diaphragm Q, which lifts the plungers to dispime the balls is ofample size and may be made of ordinary .neepskin, which will last twentyor thirty years in view of the very light strain brought upon it and thevery slight movement which it has. Apart fronr the m vement of thisdiaphragm, which only occurs when the coupler is put or on, there are nomoving parts in the coupling bar excepting the ball valves and theplungers, which are made of metal and last indefinite Each coupling barlo simply and readily made. A single strip of the wood is channeled andbored by rapidly moving tools and with but few operations.

The manufacture of the coupling bars in like units is a matter ofeconomy and advantage, since it facilitates the assembling of the organ.Although in an octave coupler all of the keys of the keyboard do notco-act witlthe coupler, nevertheless it is economical to make all of thecoupler unit-s alike, even though some of the passages are not elployed. E ch key controlled pallet governs a plurality of openings, onefor the note or notes in the department of the organ to which the keybelongs and the other openings communicating with coupler passages whichare normally silent unless the proper coupler stops are drawn. Henceeach key, by the manipulation. of appropriate stops, can sound notes inits own department of a higher or lower pitch than its own directnote ornotes; and it can also sound notes in the other departments of theorgan.

The number of pneumatic tubes employed is reduced to a. minimum sincethe coupling bars and the direct bars communicate directly with a singlemixer bar and only a single pneumatic tube for each key leads from themixer bar to the corresponding department of the organ.

ll hen one of the ball valves is lifted, a continuous channel extendsfrom one of the key pallet controlled tubes to the wind-chest (or tointerposed relay if such is employed) and when air is supplied to suchsounding channel by striking the appropriate key, the proper pipe (orpipes, reed or reeds) speaks. For example, tube 10, duct Z, air passagej, valve chamber a, duct m, port f, mixing channel 0, and tube orvariable-pressure channel 2, constitute a single sounding channel whichis vented by striking the key C, when its ball valve X, is lifted. Thisconstruction and organization is advantageous because when one coupleris put into action, all of its ball check valves are lifted once forall, thereby establishing permanent channels, the operation of each ofwhich is then dependent, not upon the moving of its ball, but upon themoving of some obstruction prevents one of the ball valves from closingon its seat. This would not involve any permanent or continuous soundingof the corresponding note when the coupler stop is not drawn, since itwould simply afi'ord'an'additional vent to the open air for the soundingchannel controlled thereby.

I claim:

1; A coupling bar for'organs having, in

combination, a recessed coiipling channel extending along the upper facethereof With depressed grooves along both sides of its central raisedbottom; a plurality of valve chambers; an air-tight fabric glued uponthe raised central bottom of said channel above said valve-chambers; aflexible diaphragm glued in place and covering the top of said couplingchannel; a laterally extending stoppassage communicating With saidcoupling channel'and open at one face of the bar; a

' reduced air passage below each of said valve chambers supplying avalve-seat; a steel ball check-valve located in each of said valvechambers and fitting said valve seat; a plunger opening and air ventextending from each air passage in-line with its valve to the lower faceof the bar; a duct extending from each air passage and open at one sideof the bar; and a second duct extending from each ofsa'id valve chambersand open at the other side of said bar, each of said ducts having anenlarged mouth at the side of the bar.

2. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a coupling channelextending along the upper face thereof; a plurality of valve chambers;an air-tight fabric at the bottom of said channel above saidvalvechambers'; aflexible diaphragm covering the top of said couplingchannel; a laterally extending stop-passage communicating with saidcoupling channel and open at one face of the bar; a reduced air passagebelow each of said valve chambers supplying a valveseat; a check-valvelocated in each of said valve chambers and fitting said valve seat; aplunger opening and air vent extending from eachair passage in line withits valve to the lower face of the bar; a duct extending-from each airpassage and open at one side of'th'e'b'ar; and a second duct extendingfrom each of said valve chambers and open at the other side of said bar.

3. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a coupling channelextending along the upper face thereof; a plurality of valve chambers;an air-tight fabric at the bottom of said channel above saidvalvechambers; a flexible diaphragm covering the top of said couplingchannel; a stop-passage communicating with said coupling channel; areduced air passage below each of said valve chambers supplying avalve-seat; a checlrvalve located in each of said valve chambers andfitting said valve seat; and ducts extending from each air passage andfrom each valve chamber.

4. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a plurality ofvalve chambers; a check-valve located in each of said valve chambers; aduct extending Irom below each valve and open at one side of the bar;and a second duct extendin from above each valve and open at the otherside of said bar, each of said ducts having an enlarged mouth atthe sideof the bar.

5. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a recessed couplingchannel ex- .tending along the upper face thereof with depressed groovesalong both sides of its central raised bottom; a plurality of valvechambers; an air-tight fabric upon the raised central bottom of saidchannel above said valve-chambers; and a flexible diaphragm covering thetop of said coupling channel; and a stop-passage coi'nmunicatingwith'said coupling channel.

6. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a plurality of pneumatictubes leading from said tube bar to each of several key-controlledpallets; a mixer bar having a mixing channel for each key of a pluralityof the departments of the organ; a single variable pressuresound-controlling channel communicating with each mixing channel; aplurality of valved coupling bars and a plurality of direct bars locatedbetween said tube and mixer bars, each coupling'bar having avalve-controlled sounding channel, and each direct bar having a directduct, between one of said pneumatic tubes and one of said mixingchannels; and each of said coupling and direct bars which is locatedbeneath a coupling bar having a pneumatically and stop-controlleddiaphragm governing the valves of the coupling bar above it.

7. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a. plurality ofpneumatic tubes leading from said tube bar to each of severalkey-controlled pallets; a mixer bar having a mixing channel for each keyof one of the departments of the organ; a single variable pressuresound-controlling channel communicating with each mixing channel; aplurality of valved coupling bars located be tween said tube and mixerbars, each coupling bar having a valve-controlled sounding channelbetween one of said pneumatic tubes and one of said mixing channels; anda pneumatically and stop controlled diaphragm governing the valves ofthe coupling bar above it.

8. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a plurality of pneumatictubes leading from said tube bar to each of several key-controlledpallets; a mixer bar having a mixing channel for each key of a pluralityof the departments of the organ; a single variable pressuresound-controlling channel communicating with each mixing channel; aplurality of valved coupling bars located between said tube and mixerbars, each coupling bar having a valve-controlled sounding channelbetween one of said pneumatic tubes and one of said mixing channels; anda pneumatically and stop-controlled diaphragm governing the valves ofthe coupling bar above it.

9. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a plurality ofkey-controlled pneumatic tubes leading to said tube bar; a mixer barhaving a mixing channel for each key of a plurality of the departmentsof the organ; a single variable pressure sound-controlling channelcommunicating with each mixing channel; a plurality of valved couplingbars located between said tube and mixer bars, each coupling bar havinga valvecontrolled sounding channel bet-ween one of said pneumatic tubesand one of said mixing channels; and stop-controlled devices governingthe valves of each coupling bar.

10. An organ coupler comprising sounding channels controlled by theorgan keys, a steel ball valve for each channel which normally closessaid channel, a stop-controlled flexible diaphragm beneath said ballsand common to all the balls of a single coupler, and plunger for eachball resting on said diaphragm, said plungers being lifted by thediaphragm to unseat the balls, thereby opening said channels, and saidballs dropping by gravity on to their seats to close said channels whenthe stop diaphragm collapses.

11. An organ coupler comprising sounding channels controlled by theorgan keys, a ball valve for each channel which normally closes saidchannel, a stop-controlled flexible diaphragm beneath said balls andcommon to all the balls of a single coupler, and plungers resting onsaid diaphragm, said plun gers being lifted by the diaphragm to unseatthe balls, thereby opening said channels, and said balls dropping bygravity on to their seats to close said channels when the stop diaphragmcollapses.

12. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a mixer bar; aplurality of duct bars between said tube and mixer bars; packingsbetween said bars; a headed screwthreaded socket carried by one of saidouter bars; a headed screw bolt extending through the other of saidouter bars and screwing into said socket; and a washer and a springbetween the head of said bolt and the face of the neighboring outer bar.

18. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a mixer bar; aplurality of duct bars between said tube and mixer bars; ascrew-threaded nut carried by one of said outer bars; a headed screwbolt extending through the other of said outer bars and screwing intosaid nut; and a spring between the head of said bolt and the face oi theneighboring outer bar.

1 1-. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a plurality ofvalve chambers, a gravity check-valve located in each of said valvechambers and seating at the bottom thereof; a duct extending from beloweach valve and open at one side of the bar; and a second duct extendingfrom above each valve and open at the other side of said bar andconstituting the sole air passage from said chamber above the valveseat; and each of said ducts having an enlarged mouth at the side of thebar.

15. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of aplurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relationand each provided with pairs of comn'lunicating ducts, each pair ofducts constituting a portion of a variable pressure sounding channel, anormally closed metal ball gravity check valve for controllingcommunication between each pair of ducts, a plurality of pressurechambers, key controlled pallets governing outlets from said pressurechambers, each of said outlets communicating with one of said soundingchannels, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve andthe corresponding pressure chamber, a stopcon trolled channel formed inthe top of each of said units, a single flexible diaphragm covering eachof said stop channels, and plungers above each of the diaphragms, oneplunger for each ball valve, each plunger being po sitioned normally toleave open the vent of one sounding channel and to permit thecorresponding ball valve to be seated, but when air is admitted underpressure into a stop channel its diaphragm is expanded, thus liftingconcurrently all of the plungers above said diaphragm thereby closingthe coacting vents and lifting the associated ball valves from theirseats.

16. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of aplurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relationand each provided with portions of variable pressure sounding channels,a normally closed metal ball gravity check valve for each soundingchannel controlling the passage of compressed air through said soundingchannel, a plurality of pressure chambers, key controlled palletsgoverning outlets from said pressure cha i: b'ers, each of said outletscommunicating with one of said sounding channels, a normally open ventfor each channel between each valve and the corresponding pressurechamber, a stop-controlled channel formed in the top of each of saidunits, a single flexible diaphragm covering each of said stop channels,and plungers above each of the diaphragms, and one plunger for each ballvalve, each plunger being positioned normally to leave open the vent ofone sounding channel and to permit the corresponding ball valve to beseated, but when air is admitted under pressure into a stop channel itsdiaphragm is expanded, thus lifting concurrently all of the plungersabove said diaphragm thereby closing the coacting vents and lifting theassociated ball valves from their seats.

17. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of aplurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relationand each provided with port-ions of variable pressure sounding channels,a normally closed metal ball gravity check valve for each soudingchannel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel,a plurality of pressure chambers, key controlled pallets governingoutlets from said pressure chambers, each of said outlets communicatingwith one of said sounding channels, a normally open vent for eachchannel between each valve and the corresponding pressure chamber, andstop-controlled means for each of said units normally leaving open thevents of such unit and permitting the corresponding ball valves to beseated, but novable to close the coacting vents and to lift theassociated ball valves from their seats.

18. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of aplurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relationand each provided with portions of variable pressure sounding channels,a normally closed check valve for each sounding channel controlling thepassage of compressed air through said channel, a plurality of pressurechambers, key controlled pallets governing outlets from said pressurechambers, each of said outlets communicating with one of said soundingchannels, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve andthe corresponding pressure chamber, and stop-controlled means for eachof said units normally leaving open the vents of such unit andpermitting the corresponding valves to be seated, but moving to closethe coacting vents and to move the associated valves from their seats.

19. An. organ having, in combination, a

pneumatic coupler formed of a plurality of units or coupling barsarranged in superimposed relation and each provided with portions ofvariable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed check valve foreach sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed air throughsaid channel, a pressure chamber, means governing outlets from saidpressure chambers, each of said outlets communicating with one of saidsounding channels, a normally open vent for ea h channel between eachvalve and the pressure chamber, and stop-controlled means for each ofsaid units normally leaving open the vent of such unit permitting thecorresponding valves to be seated, but movable to close the coactingvents and to move the associated valves from their seats.

20. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of aplurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relationand each provided with portions of variable pressure sounding channels,a normally closed metal ball gravity check valve for each soundingchannel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel,a pressure chamber, means governing outlets from said pressure chamber,each of said outlets communicating with one of said sounding channels, anormally open vent for each channel between each valve and the pressurechamber, and stop-controlled means for each of said units normallyleaving open the vents of such unit and permitting the correspondingball valve to be seated, but movable to close the coacting vents and tolift the associated ball valves from their seats.

21. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of aplurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relationand each provided with protions of variable pressure sounding channels,a normallv closed check valve for each sounding channel controlling thepassage of compressed air through said channel, means for admitting airunder pressure into said sounding channels, a normally open vent foreach channel between each valve and the source of compressed air, astop-controlled channel for each of said units, a single flexiblediaphragm covering each of said stop channels, and means governed byeach diaphragm to leave open the vents of the sounding channels of onecou pling unit and to permit the corresponding ball valves to be seated,but when air is admitted under pressure into a stop channel itsdiaphragm is expanded, thus lifting concurrently all of the plungersabove said diaphragms thereby closing the coacting vents and lifting theassociated valves from their seats.

22. An organ having, in combination, a

pressure chamber; a direct sounding chan nel; a key-controlled palletgoverning an outlet from said pressure chamber; a cou pling soundingchannel communicating with said outlet and in its action wholly independent of the direct sounding channel; a normally closed valve in saidcoupling channel; a normally open vent for said coupling channel betweensaid valve and said pressure chamber; a stop-controlled pneumatic meansgoverning said valve and vent so that the valve is closed when the ventis opened and vice versa.

23. An organ having, in combination, a

pressure chamber; a direct sounding channel; means governing an outletfrom said pressure chamber; a coupling sounding channel communicatingwith said outlet and in its action wholly independent of the directsounding channel; a normally closed valve in said coupling channel; anormally open vent for said coupling channel between said valve and saidpressure chamber; and stopcontrolled means governing said valve and ventso that the valve is closed when the vent is opened and vice versa.

24. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler having portionsof variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed metal ballgravity check valve for each sounding channel controlling the passage ofcompressed air through said channel, means for admitting air underpressure into said sounding channels, a normally open ventfor eachchannel between each valve and the source Of compressed air, andstop-controlled means which are positioned normally to leave open thevents and the sounding channels and to permit the ball valves to beseated, but which are movable to close concurrently the vents and tolift concurrently the ball valves from their seats.

25. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler having portionsof variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed check valvefor each sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed airthrough said channel, means for admitting air under pressure into saidsounding channels, communication between each pair of ducts, a normallyopen vent for each channel between each valve and the source ofcompressed air, and stop-controlled means normally leaving open thevents and permitting the valve to be closed, but movable to close thevents and to open the valves.

26. An or 'an coupler having sounding channels; means for supplying airunder pressure into said channels when the organ is played; a metalgravity ball check valve normally closing each soundin channel; a ventin each channel below each ball valve, and pneumatically actuatedstop-controlled means contacting with said ball valves to remove themfrom their seats to open said channels and concurrently acting to closesaid vents.

27. An organ coupler having sounding channels; means for supplying airunder pressure into said channels when the organ is played; a metalgravity ball check valve normally closing each sounding channel; a ventin each channel below each ball valve, and stop-controlled meanscoacting with said ball valves to remove them from their seats to opensaid channels and concurrently acting to close said vents.

28. An organ coupler having sounding channels; means for supplying airunder pressure into said channels when the organ is played; a metalgravity ball check valve normally closing each sounding channel; a ventin each channel between each ball valve and the source of air supply,and stop-controlled means acting to remove said valves from their seatsto open said channels and concurrently acting to close said vents.

29. An organ coupler having sounding channels; means for supplying airunder pressure into said channels when the organ is played; a checkvalve normally closing each sounding channel; a vent in each channelbelow each valve; and stop-controlled means coacting with said valves toremove them from their seats to open said channels and concurrentlyacting to close said vents.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

WVILLIAM E. HASKELL.

lVitnesses:

CASPER N. MORAN, H. S. \VELLMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

